Mary Young Johnson, 101, of Vero Beach, passed away on April 27, 2014.
She is survived by her son James W. Young, Jr. (Sonia); daughter Martha “Molly” Gray (John); grandchildren Vickie Williams, J. Patrick Young, A. Scott Young, J. Michael Gray and Gretchen Nelson; and eight great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her first husband James “Jim” Winston Young, and her second husband Sidney Johnson, and siblings William G. Taylor, Louise E. Taylor and Martha Ray Taylor.
She was born Mary Pope Taylor, in Atlantic City, N.J., on Jan. 30, 1913 to Samuel and Martha Taylor. She grew up in Haddenfield, N.J. and attended and graduated from Beaver College in Jenkinstown, Penn.
Johnson and her parents moved to Vero Beach in 1934, where she’s loved every minute of living there. Her father owned a construction company and her mother was the first woman to be elected to the City Council.
She married James “Jim” Winston Young and they spent much of their married life traveling throughout the US and Europe. Sadly, he passed away after a marriage of 55 years.
In 1997, she married her long time friend, Sidney Johnson.
Johnson was a member of St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church in Vero Beach and served as the organist for Trinity Episcopal Church in Vero for 30 years. She enjoyed golfing during her 72 year membership at Vero Beach Country Club, and was an avid bridge player. She had a wonderful life, many good friends, a loving, appreciative family and she made great cookies.
Memorial contributions may be made to the VNA/Hospice, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960. A funeral celebrating her life will begin at 2 p.m., Thursday, May 1, at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, 475 43rd Avenue, in Vero Beach. Interment will follow at Crestlawn Cemetery in Vero Beach. Arrangements are by Strunk Funeral Home and Crematory of Vero Beach. A guest book is available at www.strunkfuneralhome.com.
